European Commission delays Google-Motorola deal

The European Commission (EC) has put Google's multi-billion takeover of Motorola Mobility on hold after saying it requires new information from the digital company.

Google signed a $12.5bn deal to buy Motorola Mobility in August to own its intellectual property portfolio and safeguard its Android operating system. However, last week the EC halted its approval process. It originally planned to publish its decision on the merger on 10 January. A spokesperson said: 'The deadline is suspended because the commission needs from Google certain documents that are essential to its evaluation of the transaction.

'Once the commission receives the relevant information, it will continue its evaluation process.'

However, the spokesperson refused to give a timescale on when it would make its ruling.

A Google spokesperson said: 'The European Commission has asked for more information, which is routine, while they review our Motorola Mobility acquisition. We're confident the commission will conclude that this acquisition is good for competition and we'll be working closely and co-operatively with them as they continue their review.'